Your local council will help you recycle properly

Below is a list of local councils, and organisations they support, to help you with recycling matters in your area. Councils do not share the same guidelines. You should check what is, and perhaps is not, recycled by your council.

If you are seeking help for your home be mindful that your local council has probably already contracted a company to collect your recyclables and you should first contact your local council. If you are seeking help for a business (which is where 80% of landfill waste emanates from) your local council may provide only basic collection services and you may wish to consider independent collection services from companies listed in your Yellow Pages. We advise that not all companies pay the same attention to recycling assurance, and encourage you to seek verification that your recyclables are actually being recycled.

We encourage you to check if your local council and recyclable waste collectors accept all materials as some may refuse certain plastics and other items. Be sure to check their websites.

Far North District CouncilNo reference to use of plastic bags. Plastics 3-7 are not accepted at transfer stations. Clean Stream accept 1,2,4 & 5 plastics in the northern area. Plastic or wax coated cardboard and foil food containers are not accepted (TetraPak).Website...

Whangarei District CouncilPlastic bags are not accepted. Only plastics marked 1 or 2 are accepted (except containers of motor oil). Plastic containers must be no larger than 4 litres. Plastic bottles need to be rinsed, squashed flat (if possible) with lids replaced. TetraPak is not accepted.Website...

AUCKLAND COUNCILPlastic bags are not accepted. Plastics 1 to 7 are accepted (excluding polystyrene and meat trays - even if recycling symbol 6 is shown). Plastic containers must be no larger than 4 litres. TetraPaks are accepted, excluding collections made in Rodney, the North Shore, and Waitakere (where TetraPaks are not accepted).Website...

Auckland Recyclers DirectoryThis Auckland Council initiative helps to locate all types of recyclers for everything from computer and TV parts, batteries, construction waste, concrete, furniture, etc. You can find companies and charities on this database for both household and commercial recycling.Website...

WAIKATO REGIONAL COUNCILHere you will find some general info on recycling and waste services for the whole of the Waikato Region, but please check individual district council guidelines below for more specific info. Website...

Hamilton City CouncilPlastic bags are not accepted. Only plastics numbered 1 and 2 (including milk and soft drink bottles) are accepted. No reference to TetraPak.Website...

Waikato District CouncilNo reference to plastic bags. Plastic household containers types 1, 2, and 5 are accepted in all areas except Tuakau where plastics 1-7 are collected. No reference to TetraPaks.Website...

Waitomo District CouncilNo reference to plastic bags. Household plastic with 1 and 2 symbols (milk bottles and plastic food or drink containers) accepted (lids to be removed and discarded). No reference to TetraPak.Website...

BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCILThis site has a handy waste and recycling directory where you can enter just about any household or business item and it will list recyclers in your area that will happily take the item. Website...

Tauranga City CouncilNo reference to plastic bags. Only plastics 1 and 2 are accepted. Polystyrene (plastic 6) and Tetrapak containers are not accepted.Website...

Rotorua Lakes CouncilThis site helps you find out what day your collection is on and where your nearest recycling facilities are in the Rotorua Lakes District. It also details what can be recycled.Website...

HAWKE'S BAY REGIONAL COUNCILThis site helps you find out what you can recycle in your district as well as detailing your recycling kerbside collection days for the Hastings, Napier, Central Hawke’s Bay, and Wairoa areas. Website...

Wairoa District CouncilPlastic shopping bags are accepted. Plastic types 1-7 are accepted. Bread bags and meat trays are accepted. TertraPaks are not accepted.Website...

Central Hawke's BayPlastic supermarket bags are not accepted. All rigid plastic bottles/packaging numbered 1-6 are accepted for recycling. Polystyrene and meat trays are not accepted. No reference to TetraPak.Website...

Hastings District CouncilPlastic bags are not accepted. All plastics numbered 1-7 are accepted for recycling, excluding polystyrene and meat trays. No reference to TetraPak.Website...

City of NapierPlastic shopping bags are accepted. Plastic types 1-7 are accepted. Polystyrene and meat trays are not accepted. TetraPaks are not accepted.Website...

TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCILThis site provides some useful info and links for the New Plymouth, Stratford, and South Taranaki Districts waste recycling practices. It also has a recyclers directory so you know how to get rid of items responsibly that you no longer need . Website...

Wanganui District CouncilThe Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre is a one-stop shop for resource recovery and waste minimisation. There is no reference to plastic bags, plastic symbol types, or TetraPaks.Website...

Kai to CompostThis is a great Wellington Council initiative where food waste is collected from businesses and delivered to the Council's commercial compost facility, mixed with green waste and turned into compost that is sold for local use. Click this link to find out more. Website...

Waste Education ServicesThis free service for your business or school offers a hands-on approach where you can learn more about all the different ways you can reduce, reuse, and recycle your waste. The WES is offered by Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, and the Nelson Environment Centre. You could qualify for a Zero Waste Grant for your school, business, or community group! Website...

CANTERBURY REGIONAL COUNCILThis is an easy to navigate site where you select your district for all of its relevant information on everything waste and recycling related. Please see the links below for individual Councils in the Canterbury Region.Website...

Kaikoura District CouncilNo reference to plastic bags. Innovative Waste Kaikoura will collect all plastics from 1 to 7. Please ensure all recyclables are clean, including tin foil, pie plates and dinners trays, glass bottles & jars, and all plastics.Website...

Selwyn District CouncilPlastic bags are accepted. All plastics accepted (no reference to codes 1 to 7). Polystyrene and meat trays are excluded. No reference to TetraPaks.Website...

Waitaki District CouncilNo reference to plastic bags, no reference to TetraPak. Plastic types 1-6 accepted. Waitaki District Council relies on the private sector to provide recycling services.Website...

Waimate District CouncilPlastic bags and polystyrene accepted, no reference to plastic types. TetraPak not accepted. Waimate District Council manages the Waimate Resource Recovery Park for public drop-offs.Website...

Timaru District CouncilPlastic bags are not accepted. All plastics (no number references are used) are accepted. TetraPaks and polystyrene are not accepted.Website...

WEST COAST REGIONAL COUNCILWest Coasters will find useful information on the region's waste strategy, and various other helpful tips on waste minimisation, how to deal with hazardous waste, and other publications. Please see the links below for individual Councils in the West Coast Region.Website...

Grey District CouncilNo reference to plastic bags. All recyclables must be empty and clean. No compost or waste. Plastics numbered 1,2,3,4,5,6 ONLY – Check bottom of container(All lids must go in the refuse bin).Website...

Westland District CouncilThere is no reference to plastic bags, plastic symbol types, polystyrene or TetraPaks. Westland District Council encourages drop-offs at the Hokitika, Ross and Kumara Transfer Stations. Website...

OTAGO REGIONAL COUNCILThis council site has some handy links about waste in each district in Otago, including, Dunedin, Queenstown, Clutha, Central Otago, and Waitaki District Councils. Please see the links below for individual Councils in the Central Otago Region.Website...

Dunedin City CouncilPlastic bags are separately recycled via supermarkets. All plastics 1-7 are accepted. No reference to polystyrene or TetraPaks.Website...

Queenstown LakesNo plastic bags are accepted for recycling. Plastics 1-7 are accepted in kerbside collections (these have to be washed, not squashed and lids off). There are various collection and drop off services in the QLDC area, so please check this website for specific links to your area.Website...

Central Otago District CouncilClean Plastic Bags and Plastic Wrap are accepted. Place all plastic wrap (e.g. clear plastic bread bags or supermarket shopping bags) in one bag and put in your recycling crate or the plastic wrap recycling drop off. All Plastics Numbered 1-7 are accepted. Remove lids, rinse, squash and place in bottom of recycling crate or recycling drop off.Website...

SOUTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCILThis Environment Southland site details more information about business support, community initiatives, urban sustainability, and other useful links. It also has direct links to recycling pages of Southland District Council, Invercargill City Council, and Gore District Council. Website...

Love SouthlandThis is a great site that explains all you need to know about recycling in the Southland Region. There are plenty of useful hints and tips to reducing your household's waste footprint too, like even how to make reusable sandwich wrap. Plastic bags and other soft plastic is accepted. All plastics are accepted, no reference to codes. Polystyrene meat trays are not accepted. No mention of Tetrapak.Website...

Gore District CouncilPlease go to Love Southland for info on recycling in the Southland Region. Plastic bags and other soft plastic is accepted. Plastic bags and other soft plastic is accepted. All plastics are accepted, no reference to codes. Polystyrene meat trays are not accepted. No mention of Tetrapak.Website...

Invercargill City CouncilPlease go to Love Southland for info on recycling in the Southland Region. Plastic bags and other soft plastic is accepted. Plastic bags and other soft plastic is accepted. All plastics are accepted, no reference to codes. Polystyrene meat trays are not accepted. No mention of Tetrapak.Website...

Southland District Council Please go to Love Southland for info on recycling in the Southland Region. Plastic bags and other soft plastic is accepted. All plastics are accepted, no reference to codes. Polystyrene meat trays are not accepted. No mention of Tetrapak.Website...

Local Councils in NZ have individual approaches to recycling. Check out the links on this page to see what your Council can do to help you.

This Recycling Guide from Auckland Council shares some useful tips on how to deal with general household waste and recycling. Check with your own Council for bin requirements for what can and can't be recycled in your area.